Schools in 12 Sarawak districts to reopen on Monday

 Smoke pollution levels go down, but Serian still at 'very unhealthy' levels, with 'unhealthy' air at four other areas.

Smoke pollution levels have gone down in most parts of the country, except in five areas of Sarawak, according to environment department readings. (Bernama pic)

KUCHING:

Schools in 12 districts of Sarawak will reopen on Monday, except for schools in Serian and Lubok Antu, which will remain closed until the air quality readings in both districts fall below 200.

At 10pm tonight, the environment department’s dashboard showed “very unhealthy” air quality in Serian (with a reading of 210), and “unhealthy” air quality in Sri Aman (190) Samarahan (167), Kuching (166) and Sibu (113). The readings are a rolling average over a 24-hour period and do not represent spot readings.

The state education department said all primary and secondary schools would reopen in Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Sri Aman, Kanowit, Julau, Meradong, Bintulu and Tatau/Sebauh.

Face masks would be distributed soon to pupils, teachers and staff at schools identified as being severely affected by the haze, the department said. Schools were reminded to take appropriate measures should haze affect their respective areas or districts.

“All outdoor activities involving students must be halted if the air pollution index (API) reading goes above 100. When the reading exceeds 200, all schools in the affected area or district must close immediately. If the reading exceeds 500, teachers and school staff are not required to report for duty,” it said.

Schools would reopen once the API reading falls below 200.

Parents and guardians may keep their children at home if they are concerned about their health due to the haze currently affecting several areas in Sarawak. However, schools must be informed. - fmt